Learning Contentment

Contentment does not mean being complacent or settling for mediocrity and failing to achieve your God-given talent and potential. Not at all! Contentment I believe is learning to find the balance between where you are and where you’d like to be. When we’re busy counting our blessings, we don’t have the time nor the inclination to focus on what we perceive we lack.

I am reminded of a story between a pastor and one of his parishioners. Mary had become discontented with the shenanigans that she believed were taking place within the church, so she requested a meeting with her pastor to have it out. Patiently she waited and on arrival, she offloaded all that she was bearing on her soul. Patiently her pastor listened and then requested one favour of her before she called it a day.

“I would like for you to carry this full glass of water around the sanctuary without spilling a drop.” Do you think you could do this for me he asked? “Of course, I can” Mary replied and off she went. On her return, the pastor asked her what she noticed on her journey, “Nothing” she replied, “My focus was on not spilling any water from the glass.” The moral of the story when we focus on the blessings that we have, there is no time to be discontented with what we perceive we lack.

You might be of the opinion that you deserved a promotion but for now, until you get one, be thankful that you have a job.

Your best friend has a wonderful husband. Till it’s your turn, be thankful that you have good health and in time you too will have the man of your dreams.

Your neighbour has just bought a new car. Till it’s your turn, be thankful that yours is able to get you from A to B.

It has been said, “When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”

It would appear that many of us find it easier to focus on what we lack as opposed to celebrating all that we have. As you go through this week make some time to celebrate all the blessings you have in your life however large or small. Whether that be a roof over your head, shoes on your feet, clothes on your back, food on your table or just money in your pocket. Be content, be grateful but most of all be you.